THE  FORWARD 
MOVEMENT 


The  Board  of  Missions  oi  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
281  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York 


The  Forward  Movement 

HOW  IT  ORIGINATED 

THE  Cincinnati  General  Convention  was  domi- 
nated by  a sense  of  unity  in  one  blood,  and  that 
more  vital  unity  which  springs  from  our  fellow- 
ship in  the  Gospel  and  our  share  in  One  Living  Christ. 
Differences  of  party,  of  section,  even  of  nationality, 
were  relegated  to  their  proper  place,  and  as  a natural 
consequence  the  record  of  the  Convention  shows  that  it 
was  a Convention  of  missionary  progress. 

The  Convention  plainly  expected  that  the  members  of 
the  Church  would  gladly  undertake  great  things  for  God. 
Accordingly  it  instructed  its  Board  of  Missions  to  per- 
fect plans  for  enlarging  the  missionary  staff.  It  recom- 
mended that  throughout  the  Church  men  be  enlisted  in 
diocesan  and  congregational  committees  for  Church  Ex- 
tension. It  created  five  new  missionary  districts — four 
in  the  United  States  and  one  abroad  — and  elected  six 
missionary  bishops. 

The  action  of  the  Convention  largely  increased  the 
obligations  of  the  Church,  so  that  for  the  fiscal  year 
September  1st,  1910,  to  August  31st,  1911,  they  amount 
to  $1,400,000. 

In  view  of  these  facts  our  Board  of  Missions  has  called 
upon  all  the  members  of  the  Church  to  join  in  a Forward 
Movement. 

WHY  A FORWARD  MOVEMENT 
IS  NEEDED 

THE  Church  is  not  at  present  responding  ade- 
quately to  its  opportunities  at  home  and  abroad. 
There  is  scarcely  a diocese  whose  diocesan  mis- 
sion funds  are  sufficient  for  the  needs. 

Much  more  might  be  done  to  extend  and  establish  the 
Church  in  the  domestic  mission  field,  if  more  men  and 
money  were  available.  The  need  for  men  is  quite 
as  urgent  as  the  need  for  money.  The  Forward  Move- 
ment calls  for  lives  as  well  as  dollars. 


2 


The  missions  abroad  are  under-staffed  and  for  the 
most  part  inadequately  equipped.  The  situation  is  one 
of  critical  opportunity.  The  World  Conference  in  Edin- 
burgh recorded  its  conviction  that  “the  next  ten  years 
will,  in  all  probability,  constitute  a turning  point  in  hu- 
man history,  and  may  be  of  more  critical  importance  in 
determining  the  spiritual  evolution  of  mankind  than 
many  centuries  of  ordinary  experience.  If  those  years 
are  wasted,  havoc  may  be  wrought  that  centuries  are 
not  able  to  repair.  On  the  other  hand,  if  they  are  rightly 
used,  they  may  be  among  the  most  glorious  in  Christian 
history.  ” 

It  is  evident  that  to  be  true  to  her  Leader  the  Church 
must  go  Forward.  There  can  be  no  thought  of  retreat, 
no  attempt  even  to  “mark  time.” 

HOW  CAN  THE  FORWARD  MOVE- 
MENT BE  REALIZED? 

THE  application  of  these  principles  in  every  con- 
gregation will  insure  the  success  of  the  Forward 
Movement  throughout  the  Church: 

1.  Education  in  the  facts  of  missions  through  ser- 
mons, addresses,  lantern  lectures,  the  circulation  of  Thk 
Spirit  of  Missions  and  the  distribution  of  literature. 

2.  Intercession  for  missions,  based  on  knowledge  of 
the  facts,  in  private  devotions  and  in  public  worship, 
especially  at  the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion. 

“ Do  this  in  remembrance  of  Me.” 

“ Go  ye  into  all  the  world.” 

“ Lo,  I am  with  you  alway.” 

3.  Organization  for  the  enlistment  of  men  as  mission- 
ary advocates  in  order  that  the  responsibility  for  dis- 
seminating information  and  securing  adequate  gifts  may 
be  shared  by  many  instead  of  being  left  entirely  with 
the  rector. 

4.  A personal  presentation  to  every  member  of  the 
congregation  of  the  privilege  of  sharing  in  the  enterprise. 

5.  Giving  for  the  Church’s  Mission  in  the  diocesan, 
domestic  and  foreign  fields,  in  proportion  to  the  ability 
of  each  person,  preferably  on  a weekly  basis. 


3 


FEATURE  NUMBER  ONE 
The  Missionary  Committee 

This  will  enlist  a group  of  men  who  will 
The  cooperate  with  the  clergyman  in  spread- 

Missionary  ing  information  and  urging  prayer  for 
Committee  missions.  It  provides  an  opportunity 
for  effective  service  and  so  stimulates  the 
spiritual  life  of  the  men  composing  it.  Numbers  of  men, 
who  two  years  ago  were  simply  occupying  pews  in 
church,  are  now  really  working  for  the  Kingdom,  as  a 
result  of  membership  in  a missionary  committee. 

For  further  particulars  about  the  Missionary  Com- 
mittee see  Leaflet  No.  1108  to  be  had  free  from  the 
Board  of  Missions,  281  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York. 


THE  MISSIONARY  COMMITTEE 


1.  Divides  and  locates  responsibility 

2.  Enlists  lay-activity 

3.  Reinforces  rector’s  efforts 

4.  Challenges  study  of  missions 

5.  Provides  great  opportunity  for  service 

6.  Reaches  membership  individually 

7.  Stimulates  spiritual  life 


The  Rev.  J.  J.  Gravatt,  of  Holy  Trinity,  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  says:  “The  Missions  Committee 
of  ten  men  is  a joy  and  delight  to  the  rector.” 


4 


FEATURE  NUMBER  TWO 

The  Every-Member  Canvass 

Because  this  method  effectively  increases 
Why  a the  number  of  givers.  Investigation  in- 

Canvass  ? dicates  that  not  more  than  one  in  five  of 
the  communicants  of  a parish  usually 
gives  anything  at  all  to  further  the  Church’s  world-wide 
Mission. 

The  Every-Member  Canvass  stresses  the 
Every  Man  fact  that  every  Christian  man,  woman 
Responsible  and  child  is  responsible  for  the  welfare 
of  the  Kingdom.  Giving,  like  prayer, 
is  a grace,  and  the  father  cannot  exercise  this  grace  for 
his  child,  nor  the  wife  and  mother  for  her  husband  and 
family.  It  is,  moreover,  impossible  for  a few  men  or 
women  to  discharge  the  whole  missionary  obligation  of 
any  congregation.  The  Every-Member  Canvass  is  the 
only  way  to  reach  the  entire  membership.  No  annual 
collection  ever  did  it  or  ever  will. 

There  is  great  educational  value  in  the 
Supplements  Every-Member  Canvass,  not  only  for 
the  Public  the  man  whose  subscription  is  sought. 
Appeal  but  also  for  the  men  who  do  the  can- 

vassing. The  public  appeal  with  all  its 
advantages  is  manifestly  very  inadequate  as  an  educa- 
tional factor.  In  some  way  it  must  be  supplemented, 
for  many  questions  arise  in  the  minds  of  the  hearers 
which  can  never  be  answered  except  as  opportunity  is 
given  in  personal  conversation. 

t The  life  of  the  Christian  disciple  is  in- 
The  Church’s  complete  unless  he  has  a part  in  the 
Mission  and  world-wide  work  of  the  Kingdom.  The 
Spiritual  bishops  of  the  Anglican  Communion  said. 

Vitality  at  the  Lambeth  Conference  of  1897 : * ‘The 

fulfillment  of  our  Lord's  great  commis- 
sion to  evangelize  all  nations  is  a necessary  element  in 
the  spiritual  life  of  the  Church  and  of  each  member  of  it." 

The  Every-Member  Canvass  reaches  be- 
Reaches  yond  the  communicants  of  the  congrega- 

Beyond  tion,  as  is  demonstrated  by  the  fact  that 

Membership  a church  in  Pennsylvania  reports  that, 
as  a result  of  an  Every-Member  Canvass, 
there  are  fifty  per  cent,  more  names  on  the  roll  of  mis- 
sionary and  benevolent  subscribers  than  are  on  the 
membership  list  of  the  congregation. 

5 


How  to  Launch  an  Every-Member  Canvass 

/.  Precede  it  by  an  Educational  Preparation: 

The  Let  the  rector  call  a few  men  together 

Missionary  informally,  at  the  home  of  a member  of 
Committee  the  congregation  in  order  that  he  may: 

1.  Explain  what  he  wants  to  do  in  arousing  and  edu- 
cating the  congregation  to  its  missionary  privilege 
and  duty. 

2.  Ask  them  to  help  by  organizing  as  a missionary 
committee. 

3.  Enlist  their  cooperation  in  prayer  for  the  success 
of  the  plan. 

The  preliminary  educational  work  may  cover  three 
Sundays  and  may  be  planned  along  these  lines: 

FIRST  SUNDAY 

Sermon  on  “The  Missionary  Spirit  as  Evidence  of 
Loyalty  to  our  Lord.”  Special  emphasis  may  be  laid 
on  what  twentieth  century  Christians  owe  to  the  mis- 
sionary spirit  of  the  past. 

A Massachusetts  layman  wrote  recently:  “I  do  think 
more  emphasis  should  be  laid  on  the  fact  that  Missions 
are  not  a fad  of  the  bishops  and  clergy  but  are  estab- 
lished in  obedience  to  our  Lord’s  command  to  go  and 
teach  all  nations;  That  our  Church  maintains  them 
obediently  and  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Churchman 
to  help  in  this  obedience.  It  is  only  lately  that  I have 
come  to  see  and  feel  this.  It  isn’t  solely  the  question 
‘Are  you  interested  in  Missions?’  but  ‘Are  you  doing 
your  duty  in  obedience  to  Our  Blessed  Lord’s  com- 
mand ?’  I am  sure  that  many  persons  never  viewed  it 
in  that  light.” 

As  the  people  leave  the  church  let  the  Missionary 
Committee  hand  them  copies  of  Leaflet  No.  969. 

This  method  will  be  found  much  more  effective  than 
scattering  the  leaflets  through  the  pews. 

Leaflet  No.  969  and  all  others  mentioned  may  be  ob- 
tained from  the  Board  of  Missions,  281  Fourth  Avenue, 
New  York.  It  would  be  well,  whenever  practicable  to 
make  the  Missionary  Committee  responsible  for  se- 
curing these  supplies.  Let  them  be  encouraged  to  es- 
tablish personal  communication  with  their  Board  of 
Missions. 

SECOND  SUNDAY 

Sermon  on  “ The  Wide  Scope  and  Varied  Character 
of  the  Church’s  Work  at  Home  and  Abroad.” 

As  the  people  leave  the  church  let  the  Missionary 
Committee  hand  them  copies  of  Leaflets  No.  978  and  979. 


6 


THIRD  SUNDAY 

Sermon  on  “The  Value  of  More  Systematic  Methods 
of  Missionary  Finance  as  Evidenced  by  the  Experience 
of  the  Congregations  Adopting  Them.” 

In  some  places  it  may  be  well  to  consider  the  possi- 
bility and  propriety  of  asking  a layman  to  speak  for  ten 
minutes  on  “ Modern  World  Conditions  and  Opportuni- 
ties,” or  on  “ The  World's  Debt  to  the  Missionary.”  Ma- 
terial for  such  addresses  can  be  obtained  from  the  25  cent 
package  of  pamphlets  to  be  secured  from  the  Board  of 
Missions. 

As  the  people  leave  the  church  let  the  Missionary 
Committee  hand  them  copies  of  Leaflet  No.  1105. 

II.  Have  a Men's  Supper 

While  this  educational  work  with  the  congregation  is 
under  way  let  the  Missionary  Committee  begin  plans  for 
a men’s  supper  to  be  held  early  in  the  week  after  the 
third  Sunday. 

It  secures  larger  attendance.  Tickets 
Why  a should  be  prepared,  and  the  committee, 

Supper?  with  the  help  of  other  men  should  sell 

the  tickets  to  the  men  of  the  congregation. 
This  will  show  that  others  besides  the  rector  and  Mis- 
sionary Committee  are  interested  in  the  event,  and  the 
fact  that  a committee  of  prominent  men  have  the  ticket# 
on  sale  is  the  best  kind  of  advertising. 

Pulpit  announcements,  newspaper  advertising  and 
handbills  show  no  adequate  results  as  compared  with 
this  method,  and  have  failed  repeatedly,  even  when 
used  persistently,  to  bring  out  a worth-while  audience. 

If  rightly  handled,  the  supper  will  bring  out  eighty 
per-cent  of  the  men  of  the  congregation  over  eighteen 
years  of  age.  No  other  plan  will  do  as  well.  Attempts 
to  have  the  men  remain  after  the  Sunday  services,  or  to 
come  to  a mid-week  meeting  have  invariably  failed  to 
produce  the  results  desired. 

The  supper  gives  more  time  for  the  work  of  the  even- 
ing. It  can  usually  be  served  at  6. 30  p.  m. , and  within 
an  hour  the  tables  are  practically  cleared  and  the  chair- 
man has  introduced  the  first  speaker.  This  leaves  time 
for  two  or  three  addresses,  a local  report,  a careful  dis- 
cussion and  the  adoption  of  the  policy  before  the  time  for 
adjournment. 

The  main  object  of  the  supper  is  not 
It  Insures  merely  to  feed  men.  It  is  a recognition 
F ellowship  of  the  fact  that  the  universal  and  highest 
expression  of  fellowship  among  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth  has  always  been  the  breaking  of  bread. 
Commercial,  educational  and  kindred  organizations  have 

7 


tor  years  adopted  this  method  of  bringing  men  together 
when  a cordial  feeling  of  fellowship  is  desired.  Cannot 
the  men  of  the  Church  show  equal  judgment  in  plan- 
ning for  the  things  of  the  Kingdom  ? 

Men  have  come  and  will  come  to  a tnis- 
The  Novelty  sionary  supper  who  would  not  give  a 
Attracts  second  thought  to  an  eight  o’clock  meet- 
ing. Two  years  of  trial  in  Canada  and 
the  United  States  have  abundantly  proven  that  there  is 
practically  no  city,  or  town,  or  local  congregation  where 
this  feature  is  not  advantageous. 

Parish  houses,  Sunday  school  rooms,  new  unoccupied 
buildings,  store-rooms,  gymnasiums,  armories,  hotel 
dining-rooms,  restaurants,  department  stores  and  even 
the  crowded  city  apartment,  all  have  been  utilized  for 
this  work.  A committee  of  ladies  can  easily  be  found 
who'will  be  glad  to  do  this  service  for  the  cause  when  a 
caterer  cannot  be  secured. 

. Let  the  rector,  in  consultation  with  the 

Special  Missionary  Committee  and  other  leading 

Preparation  laymen,  talk  the  matter  over  and  agree 
for  the  Supper  upon  the  main  line  of  campaign.  Be- 
fore the  day  of  the  supper,  let  a card 
catalogue  in  duplicate  be  prepared  giving  the  names  and 
addresses  of  all  the  members  of  the  congregation. 

Let  subscription  cards  for  the  canvass  be  secured  from 
the  Board  of  Missions,  281  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York. 
Let  the  order  for  Duplex  Envelopes  be  sent  to  the  Board, 
with  full  particulars  as  to  the  number  of  sets  required 
and  when  the  dating  is  to  begin. 

The  Board  will  supply  the  envelopes  free  for  the  first 
year  to  any  congregation  appointing  a missionary  com- 
mittee and  making  the  canvass  in  the  manner  suggested. 

Let  the  supper  be  simple  and  inex- 
Essential  pensive. 

Features  of  a Tickets  should  be  purchased  in  advance 

Successful  that  it  may  be  known  how  many  to  pro- 
Supper  vide  for.  Empty  seats  chill  the  spirit  of 

the  gathering. 

Let  cards  be  printed  and  placed  at  each  plate  bearing 
the  following: 

a.  Number  of  communicants  in  the  congregation. 

b.  Amount  given  preceding  year  for  current  ex- 
penses. 

C.  Amount  given  preceding  year  for  missions 
and  benevolences  in  America. 

€.  Amount  given  preceding  year  for  missions 
abroad. 


8 


e.  Per  capita  giftTor'missions  and  benevolences 
in  America. 

f.  Per  capita  gift  for  missions  abroad. 

Let  the  programme  be  carefully  planned.  There  may 
be  two  twenty-minute  addresses  — at  least  one  of  them 
by  a layman — on  such  topics  as  “The  Urgency  and 
Crisis  in  the  Far  East,”  “What  Laymen  Can  Do  for 
Missions,”  “Missions  and  Commerce,”  “What  Prominent 
Laymen  Have  Said  about  Missions,”  “The  Need  for 
Church  Extension  at  Home.”  Material  for  such  ad- 
dresses can  be  secured  from  the  Board  of  Missions. 

Let  two  or  three  men  be  prepared  to  speak  for  three 
minutes  each  on  “Are  We  Doing  All  We  Can?”  and 
“ What  Shall  We  Try  to  Do  ? ” 

Have  a free  discussion  on  the  importance  of  every 
member  making  some  regular  contribution,  even  if 
necessarily  small,  to  the  missionary  work  of  the  Church. 
Subscriptions  should  not  be  solicited  at  the  supper. 

Let  other  men  be  prepared  to  offer  resolutions  pre- 
pared in  advance  along  the  following  lines: 

1.  Resolved  : That  this  meeting  recommends  that 
a determined  effort  be  made  to  lead  the  congre- 
gation to  increase  its  offerings  for  the  Church’s 

mission  work  from  $ given  last  year  to  at 

least  $ for  the  present  year,  and  that  con- 

tinued effort  be  made  to  secure  larger  mis- 
sionary giving  from  year  to  year. 

2.  Resolved:  That  with  the  approval  of  the 
parish  authorities  a canvass  of  the  congre- 
gation be  made  for  subscriptions  on  a weekly 
basis  for  the  Church’s  mission  work.  These 
offerings  to  be  made  preferably  through  the 
use  of  the  duplex  envelope. 

3.  Resolved:  That  the  Missionary  Committee 
which  has  arranged  this  meeting  be  given 
power  to  add  to  its  numbers  in  order  that  the 
canvass  of  the  congregation  may  be  imme- 
diately undertaken. 

Let  each  of  these  resolutions  be  adopted  by  a rising 
vote.  By  that  method  every  one  is  given  an  opportunity 
of  recording  his  personal  attitude  on  the  proposal. 

The  Canvassing  Committee  should 
have  at  its  disposal  the  duplicate  card 
index  of  the  names  to  be  canvassed. 
The  Committee  should  be  divided 
into  teams  which  will  go  out  two  by 
two.  The  entire  constituency  should  be  apportioned 
among  these  teams,  preferably  after  reading  the  lists,  in 


The 

Canvassing 

Committee 


9 


order  that  each  member  of  the  Committee  may  indicate 
the  names  of  those  persons  whom  he  can  most  conven- 
iently see,  or  with  whom  he  will  have  the  most  influence. 

Let  one  set  of  the  cards  containing  these  names  be  as- 
signed to  the  men  doing  the  canvassing.  Let  the  cor- 
responding cards  be  retained  by  the  chairman  with  a 
record  of  the  name  of  the  member  of  the  committee  to 
whom  they  have  been  assigned. 

The  canvass  should  be  in  person,  not  by  mail,  nor  by 
telephone  nor  by  proxy,  except  where  members  are  out 
of  town,  in  which  event  letters  have  been  found  useful. 

The  canvassing  should  always  be  for  an  offering  on 
a weekly  basis. 

A time  limit  should  be  set  (say  two  weeks)  for  the 
canvass,  and  public  announcement  should  be  made  to 
the  congregation  as  to  the  purpose  of  the  canvass  before 
the  canvassers  begin  their  work.  Let  the  result  of  the 
canvass  be  announced  as  soon  as  it  is  completed. 


In  the  majority  of  cases  current  ex- 
Shall  Current  penses  are  on  a fairly  satisfactory  basis 
Expense  be  and  in  initiating  the  new  plan,  it  has 
Included  in  been  thought  undesirable  to  disturb 
Canvass  ? the  current  expense  budget  or  income. 

The  canvass  has,  therefore,  as  a rule 
been  for  missions,  sometimes  for  domestic  and  foreign 
(i.  e.  general)  missions,  sometimes  for  diocesan,  domes- 
tic and  foreign.  The  canvass  for  missionary  offerings 
on  a weekly  basis  almost  always  results  in  larger  gifts 
for  current  expenses  without  the  necessity  for  a canvass 
or  other  special  effort  See  page  15. 

The  subscription  card  recommended  for 
The  Sub-  use  jn  the  Every-Member  Canvass  will 
scription  be  supplied  in  any  quantity  free  by  the 
Card  Board  of  Missions,  281  Fourth  Avenue, 

New  York. 


In  some  congregations  there  is  one  treas- 
Number  of  urer  of  the  parish  funds  and  another 
Treasurers  treasurer  for  the  missionary  funds. 

Where  the  Duplex  Envelope  is  intro- 
duced, the  amount  which  has  been  previously  subscribed 
for  current  expenses  is  placed  in  one  end  of  the  envelope 
and  the  amount  subscribed  on  the  weekly  basis  for  mis- 
sions in  the  other  end  of  the  envelope.  The  envelopes 
are  perforated  through  the  center  and  can  readily  be 
torn  apart,  one  end  being  given  to  each  of  the  treasurers. 


Should  One 
Treasurer 
Handle  Both 
Funds  ? 


Not  as  a rule.  The  foregoing  plan  has 
proven  preferable.  The  Diocese  of 
Chicago  has  adopted  a canon  requiring 
the  appointment  of  a missionary  treas- 
urer for  every  congregation. 


While  the  annual  offering  has  achieved 
much  in  the  past,  its  inadequacy  in  this 
present  day  of  missionary  opportunity 
is  universally  recognized.  Thousands 
of  business  men  over  the  country  have 
pronounced  the  Every-Member  Canvass 
for  offerings  on  the  weekly  basis  the  best 
method  of  missionary  finance.  Experi- 
ence has  demonstrated  that  it  is  the  most 
effective,  fair,  economical  and  productive. 

Some  congregations  supplement  the  weekly  offering 
for  missions,  by  general  offerings  especially  on  some  of 
the  great  festivals  of  the  Christian  Year.  This  plan  gives 
opportunity  to  those  who  desire  to  make  special  thank- 
offerings  and  to  any  who  have  been  unwilling  to  adopt 
the  weekly  plan. 


The  Every- 

Member 

Canvass  in 

combination 

with  the 

Annual 

Offering 


£totoarti8i)tp 

1WILL  place  no  value  on 
anything  I have  or  may 
possess  except  in  relation  to  the 
Kingdom  of  Christ. 

David  Livingstone 


11 


FEATURE  NUMBER  THREE 

The  Weekly  Offering 

Every  congregation  must  adopt  some 
Why  a method  of  missionary  finance,  and  might 

Weekly  as  well  have  the  best.  What  method 

Offering  ? of  finance  has  proved  the  best  yet  de- 

vised in  enabling  most  congregations  to 
provide  for  their  current  revenue  ? The  weekly  sub- 
scription basis,  with  numbered  and  dated  envelopes  in 
which  to  pay  these  subscriptions  week  by  week,  has  un- 
questionably proved  to  be  the  best  method.  Why  then 
should  we  adopt  an  inferior  method  for  dealing  with  the 
missionary  finances,  by  means  of  which  the  world  is  to 
be  evangelized  ? 

It  is  difficult  to  understand  how  we  could 
“Annual  ever  have  fallen  into  so  inadequate  a 

Collection”  method  as  an  ‘‘annual  collection  ” for  the 
Inadequate  propagation  of  Christ's  Kingdom  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth.  There  is  only  one 
satisfactory  explanation  to  offer,  viz. : that  the  Church 
regarded  the  evangelization  of  the  world  as  a subordi- 
nate issue  and  not  its  primary  business.  Now  that  a 
new  conception  of  its  duty  is  beginning  to  pervade  the 
Church,  the  “annual  collection”  is  being  superseded  in 
some  quarters  by  more  reasonable  and  adequate  meth- 
ods. All  kinds  of  halfway  measures  have  been  tried  by 
those  who  have  discovered  the  weakness  of  the  “annual 
collection,”  but  none  of  these  has  proved  satisfactory. 
Some  have  tried  a semi-annual  collection,  others  a quar- 
terly collection,  and  still  others  a monthly  plan,  but, 
speaking  generally,  none  are  as  effective  as  the  ideal 
plan,  viz. : A n offering  every  week , from  every  member, 
according  to  his  ability. 

Some  who  regard  the  weekly  plan  as 
Half-way  clearly  the  best  method  have  hoped,  by 

Methods  getting  a quarterly  or  monthly  plan 

Unsatisfactory  adopted,  to  prepare  the  way  for  the 
introduction  later  of  the  weekly  offer- 
ing. This  is  mistaken  judgment.  There  are  so  many 
arguments  for  the  weekly  method  that  it  is  easier  and 
better  in  every  way  to  come  to  it  directly,  instead  of  ex- 
perimenting with  plans  that  are  at  best  unsatisfactory. 

. . Many  reasons  may  be  given  for  the 

Advan  ages  weej^y  offering  for  the  Church’s  Mission 
ot  tne  weeicy  as  wejj  as  for  the  current  expenses  of 
Uttering  the  congregation. 


12 


1.  It  is  educational.  It  keeps  the  Church’s  Mission 
before  the  people  week  bjr  week,  enlarging  their  sym- 
pathies and  promoting  spiritual  growth. 

2.  It  enlists  a larger  number  of  givers.  Many 
people  with  small  incomes,  ashamed  or  unable  to  make 
their  contribution  to  an  annual  collection,  will  give  a 
small  amount  each  week,  thereby  helping  materially  to 
increase  the  total  from  the  congregation. 

3.  It  makes  possible  larger  giving,  especially  by 
those  of  moderate  ability.  Experience  shows  that  it  is  as 
easy  to  get  an  average  of  ten  cents  a week  from  an  ordi- 
nary congregation  by  the  weekly  method  as  it  is  to  get 
$1  a year  by  the  old  collection  plan. 

4.  It  replenishes  the  treasury  regularly , thereby 
saving  the  Board  of  Missions  from  the  necessity  of  bor- 
rowing and  paying  interest  on  large  sums  of  money, 
with  which  to  pay  the  appropriations.  During  the  first 
four  months  of  the  present  fiscal  year  the  expenditure 
was  $460,000,  while  the  income  was  only  $172,000. 

5.  It  does  not  decrease  but  actually  increases  the 
offerings  to  current  expenses  and  other  benevolences. 
This  has  proved  to  be  true  in  hundreds  of  cases.  It  is 
in  perfect  harmony  with  the  operation  of  spiritual  law. 

6.  It  promotes  prayer.  Each  weekly  offering  reminds 
the  giver  that  intercession  for  the  cause  should  accom- 
pany the  gift. 

Systematic,  proportionate,  cheerful  weekly  giving  is 
the  most  scriptural,  fair,  business-like,  and  productive 
method.  Where  properly  introduced  and  worked  it 
secures  the  largest  possible  educational,  financial  and 
spiritual  results. 


IFE  is  most  worth 
1 living  to  him  whose 


work  is  most  worth  while. 


13 


FEATURE  NUMBER  FOUR 

The  Duplex  Envelope 

As  the  name  implies,  it  is  a double  en- 
What  the  velope.  It  is  2 wide  by  4 yz"  long,  and 

Duplex  Is  is  securely  gummed  through  the  center 

to  form  two  pockets,  each  of  which  is 
large  enough  to  contain  contributions  many  times  larger 
than  the  average  contributor  is  willing  to  give. 

The  one  pocket  is  used  for  contributions  to  defray 
current  expenses;  the  other  for  contributions  to  the  be- 
nevolent causes. 

The  envelopes  are  numbered  so  that 
Number  and  the  name  of  the  contributor  need  not 

Date  be  written  on  the  envelope.  They  are 

dated  one  for  each  Sunday  of  the  year 
and  are  collated  in  packages  of  fifty-two. 

The  fifty-two  envelopes  are  enclosed  in 
The  Carton  an  attractive  and  substantial  holder 
or  Holder  which  may  be  hung  on  the  wall  in  some 
convenient  place  where  it  may  always 
be  in  sight  and  never  out  of  mind. 

Each  set  of  envelopes  is  separately 
Envelopes  printed,  numbered  and  dated.  About 
Should  be  three  weeks  is  required  to  fill  orders. 
Ordered  early  The  envelopes  should,  therefore,  be  or- 
dered in  advance,  in  order  that  they  may 
be  ready  for  the  subscribers  immediately  after  the  Com- 
mittee has  secured  the  subscriptions. 

The  number  of  envelopes  need  not  be 
Let  Every  limited  to  the  number  of  subscribers  for 
One  Use  missionary  support.  Let  the  duplex  en- 
the  Duplex  velopes  be  used  by  those  who  are  giving 
for  current  expenses  only.  Sooner  or 
later  the  challenge  and  appeal  of  the  missionary  end  of 
the  envelope  will  prove  irresistible. 

Remember  that  the  Board  of  Missions,  281  Fourth 
Avenue,  New  York,  will  supply  free  for  the  first  year  as 
many  sets  as  can  be  advantageously  used,  to  any  con- 
gregation appointing  a missionary  committee  and  making 
an  every-member  canvass  as  outlined  in  this  leaflet. 


14 


HOW  THE  NEW  PLAN  WORKS 


It  Helps  Current  Expenses  as  well  as 
Missionary  Offerings 

An  analysis  was  made  of  the  statistics  of  eighteen 
churches  where  a special  effort  had  been  made  to  secure 
an  increase  in  subscriptions  to  foreign  missions.  It  was 
found  that  while  the  contributions  to  foreign  missions 
were  almost  doubled  in  the  eighteen  churches,  the 
increase  to  foreign  missions  being  $10,175,  the  increase 
in  home  missionary  offerings  was  $14,150,  and  the  in- 
crease in  receipts  for  congregational  expenses  was 
$27,956.  “There  is  that  scattereth  and  increaseth  yet 
more;  there  is  that  withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  but 
it  tendeth  only  to  want.”  Such  is  the  law  of  the  Kingdom. 


THE  light  that  shines 
farthest  shines  bright- 
est nearest  home. 


15 


UNDER  THE  OLD  PLAN 

Few  Give 

Investigation  indicates  that  jot 
more  than  one  in  five  of  our 
communicants  makes  any  offer- 
ing for  the  Church’s  general 
mission  work  at  home  and 
abroad.  The  circle  represents 
the  communicant  membership  of 
the  Church.  The  black  segment 
represents  the  number  who  give 
for  the  furtherance  of  the  ag- 
gressive work  of  the  Church. 

UNDER  THE  NEW  PLAN 

More  Give 

The  circle  represents  the  mem- 
bership (1,300)  of  a large  and 
missionary-hearted  congregation. 
The  black  segment  represents 
the  number  (180)  who  were  giv- 
ing to  the  missionary  cause  be- 
fore the  Every-Member  Canvass. 
The  black  segment,  plus  the 
shaded  portion,  represents  the 
number  (880)  who  were  making 
weekly  offerings  after  the  canvass. 


Correspondence  concerning  the  Forward 
Movement  should  be  addressed  to  “The 
Secretary,’’  Church  Missions  House,  281 
Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

Additional  copies  of  this  pamphlet  may 
be  obtained  by  asking  for  Leaflet  No.  1109. 
Price  Two  Dollars  per  Hundred. 

Additional  information  concerning  For- 
ward Movement  methods  will  be  found  in 
Leaflets  No.  1108,  1110,  1112,  1114,  1115, 
1122. 


10  Ed.  3-16.  10M.  K.  68M. 


